I met with the leadership at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children this afternoon. The hospital, which is located just outside our district, is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions and learning disorders, like dyslexia. The most amazing thing is, their services are free. They are also a great community partner, rehabilitating and maintaining Reverchon Park.

A tour of the hospital really put things in perspective for me. The staff is terrific and caring; the facility is geared to be a child-centric, happy place; and the children are exceptional in the face of some of life’s most difficult challenges. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are. Seeing a child learning to use a new prosthetic arm or work an electric wheelchair after losing a leg makes life’s little irritations remarkably unimportant.

We are blessed to have such an amazing organization in our city, and I thank them for their generosity.

This evening I also attended the North Park – Love Field crime watch meeting. Concerned neighbors started the crime watch earlier this year to address the serious crime problems they’re having in the area, including drug houses, burglaries, and prostitution.

Tonight neighbors pointed out to city officials that they want a “zero tolerance” policy for code violators. Recognizing that code violations and crime go hand in hand, neighbors want to crack down on offenders and clean up the community.

Time and time again, crime watch programs prove that they make a real difference in reducing crime and getting neighborhoods back on track. I applaud NPLF’s efforts to make the neighborhood safer.

Tonight’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting was held at the Farmers’ Market. Lead consultant John Fregonese gave an overview of how the workshops had been going. The city had held evening workshops throughout the city to get input from residents about the type of city we want to live in. So far, about 1000 people have attended. Maps developed by participants were digitized and combined to reflect areas of consensus, and these will be displayed to the public at an upcoming meeting for additional comment.

Tonight I attended my third party of the day, visiting the Greenland Hill’s holiday party in Glencoe Park. M Streets residents were treated to cookies, hot chocolate, and carriage rides around the neighborhood. St. Nick even made an appearance!

Neighbors rode around the neighborhood in horse-drawn carriages to view the Christmas lights and decoration. (Paul and I spent a good bit of time earlier this week hanging lights, with the help of our wonderful neighbor Tony and his friend Richard.)

I attended the annual Munger Place Holiday Party this evening at the home of one of my fellow attorneys at my law firm. Paul and Ginger have an incredible home, and it was decorated beautifully! This party was definitely one of the highlights of the season.